repellent

¹re·pel·lent

adj \ri-ˈpe-lənt\

Definition of REPELLENT

1

: serving or tending to drive away or ward off —often used in combination <a mosquito-repellent spray>

2

: arousing aversion or disgust : repulsive

— re·pel·lent·ly adverb

Variants of REPELLENT

re·pel·lent also re·pel·lant \ri-ˈpe-lənt\

Examples of REPELLENT

1. The candle has a repellent effect on insects.
2. <your snobbish behavior towards my friends is so repellent I can't stand to be around you anymore>

Origin of REPELLENT

Latin repellent-, repellens, present participle of repellere

First Known Use: 1643

Related to REPELLENT

Synonyms: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, offensive (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly

Antonyms: innocuous, inoffensive

Related Words: exceptionable, objectionable; brackish, disagreeable, dislikable (also dislikeable), unpleasant; contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful; unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome; execrable, lousy, miserable; atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome (also grewsome), heinous, horrendous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, shocking, sick, sickish, sickly, terrible, unspeakable, vile; off-putting, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome; barbarous, unchristian, uncivilized, ungodly, unholy; distressing, disturbing, upsetting

Near Antonyms: acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable (or likeable), luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, welcome; unexceptionable, unobjectionable; healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

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Rhymes with REPELLENT

appellant, flagellant, propellant